Josh Hammer Speaks Out After Murder of Friend Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens' Accusations

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Josh Hammer Speaks Out After Murder of Friend Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens' Accusations

Josh Hammer breaks his silence on the murder of his friend Charlie Kirk and addresses the conspiracy theories that emerged immediately after. Hammer reveals exclusive details about Kirk's final messages defending Israel, confronts Candace Owens' accusations of complicity, and sets the record straight about Kirk's faith-based support for the Jewish people. The Orthodox Jewish lawyer shares screenshots from a private WhatsApp group to clear his name after being accused of involvement in his friend's death. Plus, filmmaker Aaron Zimmerman discusses her new documentary on how the New Testament was formed, and photographer Chelsea Nelson celebrates a major First Amendment victory after a six-year legal battle.

Categories: News
October 17, 2025

Josh Hammer Confronts Conspiracy Theories After Charlie Kirk's Murder

In a deeply emotional interview, Josh Hammer opens up about the horrific murder of his close friend Charlie Kirk and the disturbing conspiracy theories that emerged before Kirk's blood had dried. Hammer, an Orthodox Jewish lawyer, found himself thrust into a controversy he never wanted when debates about Kirk's legacy began circulating immediately after his death.

"It's the first time in my entire life I've had a friend murdered, let alone a friend murdered in this particular fashion," Hammer explains. "What makes it particularly unconscionable is the way that terrible human beings have tried to seize on this moment to glom on to something that isn't there, a unicorn, and try to further their agenda."

Defending Charlie Kirk's Legacy and Faith

The debate centered primarily on Kirk's relationship with Jewish people and Israel, which Hammer finds disturbing given the timing. "The debate over Charlie Kirk's legacy started while his blood was still drying," he states. Hammer emphasizes that he knows firsthand about Kirk's support for Jewish people and Israel because he lived it out with him daily.

The controversy escalated when Candace Owens obtained a screenshot from a small WhatsApp chat that included Hammer and Kirk. The screenshot showed Kirk upset about a Jewish donor withholding a $2 million donation. Owens used this to claim that Hammer was lying about Kirk's pro-Israel stance until his final moments.

Setting the Record Straight with Final Messages

Hammer reveals crucial context that Owens omitted: just two hours after the screenshot in question, Kirk organized a Zoom call with Hammer and others specifically to get the best messaging advice for discussing Jewish-Christian relations and Israel on college campuses. This call took place the night before Kirk was killed.

"Charlie organized this Zoom call for the express purpose of trying to make sure that he had all the best answers, the best messaging advice for how to speak about Jewish Christian relations and the Israel question on college campuses," Hammer clarifies. Kirk's final messages in the WhatsApp chat were thanking the group for this very Zoom call about bolstering his pro-Israel messaging.

Accusations of Complicity and Legal Action

The situation took an even darker turn when Owens began accusing Hammer of complicity in Kirk's murder during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot when Hammer was offline. This accusation became part of what Hammer describes as Owens' ongoing crusade to make the tragedy about Jewish people.

"I'm being accused of murdering my friend," Hammer states bluntly. "I'm being accused of having some foreknowledge or complicity. I have to clear my name." This led him to reluctantly release Kirk's final messages, something he genuinely did not want to do. Hammer confirms he is consulting with lawyers about potentially bringing legal action.

Charlie Kirk's Deep Christian Faith and the Jewish People

Hammer provides insight into why Kirk would never turn against Israel or the Jewish people. Kirk's faith was deeply rooted in a theological understanding that connected him to Jewish tradition. "Charlie Kirk kept his version of the Jewish Sabbath," Hammer reveals. "He literally turned his phone off for 25 hours from Friday night to Saturday night. He has a whole forthcoming book on the Sabbath, on honoring the Sabbath."

Kirk frequently quoted from Genesis and Psalms as much as the New Testament. His Christianity was modeled after the American founding fathers like George Washington, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton, men who were deeply inspired by the story of the Israelites in the Hebrew Bible.

Kirk's Public Stand Against Anti-Semitism

Even at the final Turning Point USA Student National Summit in July, Kirk sat on stage with Hammer and repeatedly warned attendees: "Do not succumb to the mind virus. Do not let your brain rot get to the point where you were just hating on the Jews." This message remained consistent until the day he died.

While Kirk was frustrated that the Gaza war was taking a long time to finish and would have been thrilled to see President Trump's ceasefire hostage deal, he was not becoming an ultra-conspiracy theorist like Tucker Carlson or Candace Owens, according to Hammer.

Impact on Hammer's Life and Family

The accusations and resulting attention from anti-Semites and neo-Nazis have taken a toll. As a husband and father living in Florida, Hammer's primary concern is his family's safety. Florida law enforcement is aware of the situation and monitoring it. However, Hammer makes clear that these attacks will not silence him.

"It will not shut me up. This sort of stuff will never shut me up. They're trying to get me to stop talking and trying to get me to confess or concede that Charlie Kirk was actually turning on Israel. Whatever they think they want me to do, I'm not going to do it."

How the New Testament Was Formed: A New Documentary

In a separate segment, filmmaker Aaron Zimmerman discusses her new documentary "Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament," which explores how the Bible came to be. The timing of the film's release coincides with an unprecedented spiritual awakening in America, particularly among young people.

Zimmerman began working on the project in 2017 while living in Israel. The production faced numerous delays, including COVID-19 shutdowns and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that occurred just two days before they were scheduled to begin filming in Israel. "I really said, 'Okay, God, what are you doing?' Because you had me here all summer, you had us get all the way up to filming and then why?" she recalls.

A Golden Age of Bible Publishing

The timing proved providential. The Wall Street Journal declared this "a golden age of Bible publishing." Bible sales were up 22% last year, and this year they've already sold a million more physical Bibles than at the same point last year. This doesn't even account for online sales and digital versions.

"God had his plan back in 2017. He knew everything that was going to happen. And he knew that we were going to land right at this point," Zimmerman reflects. "His timing is better than ours."

From Oral Tradition to Written Word

The documentary explores how stories about Jesus transitioned from oral tradition to written text. In the first 20 to 30 years after Jesus, everything was communicated by word of mouth. People valued hearing stories directly from apostles more than reading written accounts.

"How did we go from apostles through all through Jesus ministry saying, 'I'm telling you, but you still don't understand' right up to the cross when they left, to all these men saying, 'This is my life's mission now. I have to write this down'?" Zimmerman asks.

The shift occurred when apostles began dying off and persecution increased. King Herod was driving Jews and Christians out of Judea. Without firsthand accounts, the urgency to write everything down became critical.

The Gift of the Church Fathers

One of the most valuable resources for understanding this era comes from the church fathers—Christian leaders who were one or two generations removed from the apostles. Some were direct students of the Apostle John, hearing everything firsthand.

Zimmerman shares that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written in the AD 60s, while John wrote his gospel 30 years later in the 90s. The documentary explores why John felt compelled to write another account after reading the first three. "It was a little passive aggressive almost," Zimmerman laughs. "Ah, okay, they did okay, but I need to add some things."

"Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament" hits theaters November 2nd, 3rd, and 5th as a Fathom event.

Christian Photographer Wins Six-Year Religious Liberty Battle

Chelsea Nelson, a Christian photographer from Louisville, celebrates a major First Amendment victory after a six-year legal battle. Nelson filed a lawsuit in 2019 against Louisville Jefferson County over an ordinance she feared would force her to violate her religious beliefs in her business.

As a young mother looking for flexible work, Nelson wanted to ensure she could operate her photography business consistently with her Christian faith. "I'm a Christian so that impacts every aspect of my life. Not just on Sunday morning when I'm at church," she explains.

Facing $10,000 Fines for Religious Expression

Nelson discovered a Louisville ordinance that concerned her deeply. She feared facing $10,000 fines if she openly stated she would only photograph marriages between a man and a woman for a lifetime. Rather than wait for a direct threat, she proactively sought clarification about what she could put on her website.

"This is exactly what I would like to put on my website so everyone knows where I stand and what I believe. Can I do that?" she asked. The response was no—she couldn't put her beliefs on her website or even discuss them with clients in private meetings at coffee shops.

Government Cannot Compel Speech

Brian Nihart, Nelson's attorney, explains the legal foundation of the case: "The fundamental premise of Chelsea's lawsuit is that the government can't force Americans to say something they don't believe."

Louisville's law had two problematic features. First, it compelled Nelson to create photographs and blogs celebrating views of marriage that contradicted her faith. Second, it prohibited her from explaining her Christian beliefs about marriage on her own website. The city claimed both declining certain projects and explaining her beliefs publicly would violate its law.

Supreme Court Precedent Secures Victory

The case parallels the 2023 Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis, which addressed similar laws across the country compelling artists to create artwork violating their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court ruled such laws, when applied to speech, violate the First Amendment. Judge Beaton followed this binding precedent in ruling for Nelson.

Message to Christians Facing Similar Battles

After six years of fighting, Nelson offers encouragement to others who may find themselves in similar situations: "Start with daily faithfulness in your life, in your family. Standing up in a broader context with news headlines or whatever, that all starts with being faithful to the Lord and your family, how you treat your spouse, how you're being faithful in parenting your children."

She emphasizes having an eternal mindset: "Is the Lord going to say, 'Well done' when you see him face to face, are you going to be feeling ashamed or regretful at the end of your life for not standing up for your faith? I would say do that no matter what the cultural winds are at the time and surround yourself with strong believers who are going to hold you accountable to that."

When asked if she would continue fighting if there's an appeal, Nelson's response is immediate and certain: "Absolutely. Without a doubt. This is a ride-or-die situation for me. I want to honor the Lord in this area. I want to protect free speech for everyone."

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